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Early Bird NorCAL Wax Retreat Registration

Unleash your creativity at the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat in beautiful Palo Alto, CA! Whether you are a budding artist or a seasoned creator, this retreat is designed to nurture your artistic talent. Immerse yourself in this intimate 2-day, action packed, hot and cold wax retreat. IMPORTANT: You must be a current or new member of NorCAL Wax to register with Early Bird Pricing.

ACTIVITIES​

The NorCAL Wax (NCW) Mini-Retreat offers a focused escape for wax artists of all levels to nurture their creativity, learn new techniques and connect with other artists in a supportive environment. In addition to a wonderful line up of speakers and instructors, we've packed the NCW Mini-Retreat with activities that will spark your imagination including: hot and cold wax demonstrations, art product giveaways, designated time for hands-on play, an optional art exchange, community building and more! 

 

You'll have time to explore a variety of mark making materials for encaustic and cold wax painting, encaustic monotype printing and sculpture. Your first evening includes dinner at an artist’s home in the Los Altos Hills, where we will continue with lively conversations while relaxing with new friends.

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Participants will acquire new artwork and will leave with Keepsake Bags, feeling inspired, refreshed and reconnected to their art practice and fellow artists.

​​​​LOCATION & ENVIRONMENT

The Pacific Art League facility is reserved exclusively for the NCW Mini-Retreat. Located in the heart of Palo Alto, the spacious, naturally lit venue offers an ideal setting for artistic collaboration. Attendees will enjoy access to two gallery/classroom spaces, kitchen amenities including a refrigerator and microwave, and shared creative time using hot boxes.

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MINI-RETREAT AGENDA DESCRIPTION 
Full agendas will be distributed to all registered retreat attendees. Please note, some changes may apply.

Set Up Day - Friday, February 6th (Optional):

Any NCW attendees are welcome, but not required, to help set up for the Mini-Retreat at the Pacific Art League (PAL.) Dinner will follow at Local Union 271 at 7 pm. Artist are financially responsible for their own meals Friday night. 

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Day One - Saturday, February 7th from 2 - 6 pm:

  • Greeting, Connection before Content & Raffle

  • Cold Wax and Oils with Diane Williams 

  • Working Sculpturally with Fosshape and Encaustic with Helen Dannelly

  • Structured hands-on experimentation

  • Clean-up

  • Community Dinner, Raffle & Relaxation at NCW member's home in Los Altos Hills

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Day Two - Sunday, February 8th from 9 am - 5 pm:

  • Welcome, Connection before Content & Raffle

  • Encaustic Monotype with Ruth Kedar (open to public)

  • R&F Pigment Sticks & Drawing Oils with Sara Post (open to public)

  • Q&A

  • Independent Lunch (public leaves)

  • Toolbox Rebels: Mark Making with a Twist with Karen Buttwinick & Melissa Stephens

  • Structured hands-on experimentation

  • Connection before Content & Raffle

  • Art Exchange (Optional)

  • Thank you, Keepsake Bag distribution & Good-bye

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

R&F Logo.jpg

R&F Handmade Paints is a Major Sponsor of the NCW Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!
Founded in 1988 by artist and paint-maker Richard Frumess, R&F Handmade Paints manufactures unique and heavily pigmented paint lines which include their classic wax-based encaustic paint, linseed-oil based Pigment Sticks® and R&F DRAWING OILS™. Located in Kingston, New York, R&F is committed to producing the highest quality paints with materials meticulously sourced from around the world. https://www.rfpaints.com/

Enkaustikos logo

is a Major Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!

Enkaustikos encaustic paints are made from the finest ingredients. They select the most beautiful pigments, the finest Damar Gum, and United States Pharmaceutical Grade (USP) Refined Natural White Beeswax. Their paints do not contain bleach or synthetic adulterants. Using these main ingredients, Enkaustikos manufactures a full color range of professional encaustic paints. One hundred colors to date are being milled. All colors are available in Hot Cakes, Hot Sticks and Wax Snaps.  https://encausticpaints.com/

IEA logo

IEA is a Major Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!

The NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat was made possible by a Small Scale Regional Event Grant from the IEA. Other opportunities and resources for IEA members include: community, virtual and in person exhibition opportunities, various grants, artist retreats, art material drawings of chance, residency resources, Wax Fusion: an online printable magazine, continued education and mentorship. The IEA is dedicated to building community and shared knowledge among artists throughout the world who work with encaustics and other wax media.   https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/

Blick Logo

is a Contributing Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!

BLICK Art Materials is one of the largest providers of art supplies within the U.S. with over 90,000 items available online, in our catalog, and at our retail locations. With over 60 stores throughout the US and the District of Columbia, and an active online presence, BLICK has been "Family Owned and Serving Artists" since 1911.
Find out more information on their website at: https://www.dickblick.com/

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